Where to get the lowest price on Thanksgiving turkey in 2022

Food prices are higher than they’ve been for a while, and that means we’re going to be on the hunt for the cheapest turkey prices in an effort to make the annual Thanksgiving celebration as abundant (and delicious) as ever. 

To help with this, we’ve compiled some of our best tips for saving on turkeys. 

We also have other articles to help you have a fun and frugal feast, including:

How to get the best turkey price this Thanksgiving

November is the best time of year to buy turkey on sale. You should easily find whole, frozen birds for less than $1 per pound, and some grocery stores will even offer a FREE turkey with purchases over a specific dollar amount, or when you buy your Christmas ham along with it.

If you don’t need a whole turkey, you can shop for a turkey breast instead. Just note that you won’t get the cheapest price per pound of turkey. It may be more frugal in the long run to buy the whole bird and have lots of Thanksgiving leftovers. 

How much turkey do you need per person? The rule of thumb is one pound per person, but if you want leftovers (and who doesn’t?) or have big eaters in your family, plan for 1.5 pounds per person.

Since many grocery stores have low prices on turkeys, consider buying a second one to put in your freezer if you have room. You might need to make two trips since the cheapest turkeys often have purchase limits per customer.

Still, many grocers will sell turkeys as a “loss leader” in hopes that once you’re in the store you’ll make other purchases. In fact, some stores require you to make additional purchases of $20 to $50 and up in order to pay their lowest price per pound for turkey.

Make sure you’re not overpaying for the additional purchase items as it may just be cheaper to pay full price for the turkey. Here are some more of our tips on how to maximize your savings while shopping for Thanksgiving dinner.

And although turkey is probably the big-ticket item on the menu this year, remember that you can save money on Thanksgiving dinner with some of these great frugal ideas. 

Free turkeys for Thanksgiving

Certain grocery chains offer free turkey promotions leading up to Thanksgiving. These tend to be aimed at members of the supermarket’s discount shoppers club and are based on total purchases throughout October and November. 

ShopRite

Price Plus club members can earn points toward a FREE turkey or other item, from Oct. 16 to Nov. 24. The number of required points varies by location. 

Once you’ve racked up the appropriate number of points, you can claim one of the following rewards:

ShopRite all-natural frozen turkey (up to 21-lb.) or save $1.89 per pound on any other fresh or frozen turkey (up to 21-lb.)

Save $1.89 per pound on Empire or any other Kosher Turkey (up to 21-lb.) 

ShopRite Grade “A” or Shady Brook frozen turkey breast (6- to 9-lb.) or save $2.29 per pound on any other fresh or frozen turkey breast or Kosher turkey breast

Empire or any other Kosher frozen roasting chicken (up to 7-lb.)

Stouffer’s frozen lasagna (any variety, 90- to 96-oz.)

Stouffer’s frozen lasagna (38-oz.) or Michael Angelo’s frozen dinner options

Gardein plant-based roast (35.2-oz.) 

Tofurky (56-oz.) 

Cooks Shank or Butt Half Smoked Ham or save $2.39 per pound on any Cook’s spiral sliced ham, boneless ham or any other smoked ham (up to 12-lb.)

Giant Food Stores

Giant shoppers can get a FREE Grade A Shady Brook Farms turkey, Stouffer’s Party Size Lasagna or Tofurkey Roast.  In addition, if you prefer, opt for $1 off per pound on premium turkey — up to 20-lbs.

To redeem the FREE item, earn 400 CHOICE points between Oct. 14 and Nov. 24, 2022.

Turkeys must weigh no more than 20 pounds. Other restrictions apply. See complete details at giantfoodstores.com/pages/free-turkey-earn.

Safeway

Safeway is offering a FREE any size Honeysuckle White Turkey with a minimum grocery purchase of $150. (The cost of the turkey does not count toward the minimum purchase requirement.) The giveaway is typically offered weekly in November.

Find more details at Mile High on the Cheap. 

Ibotta’s Free Thanksgiving meal

The cash-back grocery app Ibotta is offering 100% cash back on a frozen whole turkey and sides. The rebate is available from Nov. 1 to 23, while supplies last.

The offer is available to new and existing members. However, existing members must redeem other offers first before unlocking the FREE turkey and sides. New members have immediate access to the Thanksgiving rebate. To sign up, click here. 

Where to buy the cheapest turkeys

When you’re searching for the best turkey prices, realize that buying a frozen turkey in advance is almost always going to be your best bet. If you’ve cut it too close to Thanksgiving, you’re going to have to spring for a fresh turkey. 

How long should you thaw a frozen turkey? Figure one day for every five (5) pounds, so four days for a 20-lb. bird. Always thaw your frozen turkey in the refrigerator — never on the counter.

Looking for turkeys on sale in 2022? Below is a sampling of turkey prices at various grocery stores this year. Use this list as a guide for finding the cheapest place to buy a turkey. We will update the list as supermarkets update their Thanksgiving deals.

And, remember, prices will vary by location, market and/or region — even by week. 

Always review the weekly circulars or store websites for accurate turkey pricing in your area or check your local Living on the Cheap network sites for turkey deals in your area.

All prices are for frozen turkeys unless indicated as fresh. Offers may require an additional purchase or membership in the supermarket’s loyalty program in order to receive the lowest price per pound.

ALDI

From Nov. 9 to 15, get a frozen Butterball whole turkey for $1.07 per pound. Limit two turkeys per customer. For the most current sale price on turkey, review ALDI’s weekly ad. 

For 2022, Aldi is also rolling back the prices on Thanksgiving staples all the way back to 2019. Shoppers can get discounts of up to 30% on holiday favorites, including appetizers, desserts, sides and beverages.

The price rollback includes brie cheese, prosciutto, cornbread stuffing, wines, mini quiches, fresh brown-and-serve rolls, apple pie and much more. A Thanksgiving Price Rewind icon in local ads and throughout the store identify the groceries that are getting the retro price treatment, which is valid through Nov. 29.

Harris Teeter

Harris Teeter is offering one of its premium frozen turkeys (10- to 24-lb.) for 29 cents per pound. The offer requires an additional minimum purchase of $40 — excluding the cost of the turkey. Offer is valid through Nov. 24. For current prices, visit the Harris Teeter site. 

Kroger

From Nov. 9 to 15, the grocery store is offering a frozen Kroger turkey for 77 cents per pound. The offer requires an additional minimum purchase of $25 — excluding the cost of the turkey. Limit one turkey at the sale price. For current prices, find a Kroger store in your area and review its weekly ad. 

Safeway

From Nov. 9 to 15, Safeway is offering Butterball premium natural whole turkey (10- to 24-lb.) for 97 cents per pound. The digital coupon must be applied to your account. Limit one turkey at the sale price. For current prices, review Safeway’s weekly ad. 

Target

Target is offering Butterball frozen turkey — starting at $1.19 per pound. The retailer is also offering its store brand Good & Gather at lower price — just 99 cents per pound. Check out Target’s prices on Thanksgiving essentials, including turkeys, online. 

Trader Joe’s

Trader Joe’s is offering its All-Natural No Antibiotics Ever Brined Fresh Young Turkey for $1.99 per pound. In addition, the chain’s Glatt Kosher birds (12- to 16-lb.) for $2.99 per pound. Trader Joe’s is very popular, so the birds are available while supplies last. Check out Trader Joe’s Fearless Flyer for more information on what the store is offering for Thanksgiving. 

Walmart

For 2022, Walmart is keeping the prices on Thanksgiving staples the same as last year. Shoppers can pick up a frozen Honeysuckle turkey for 98 cents per pound, as well as lower prices on sides, desserts and more. 

Even better, the pricing special continues through Dec. 26, so you can enjoy savings on your Christmas feast, too. 

Wegmans

Wegmans is offering its Shady Brook Farms frozen turkey at 29 cents per pound. Limit one per order. The sale price reflects loyalty card savings ($1.40 off per pound) and is valid through Nov. 20. Review current sale prices here. 

Whole Foods Market

From Nov. 9 to 15, Whole Foods Market is offering its 365 by Whole Foods Market frozen whole turkey for $1.49 per pound. The organic version is $2.49 per pound. The sale price is only available to Amazon Prime members. For current sale prices, review Whole Foods Market’s weekly sales flyer. 

If you’re looking for the best prices on turkey, you might also like to read:

More Thanksgiving articles we recommend:

Fun things to do on Black Friday (that aren’t shopping)
What to do with leftover Thanksgiving side dishes
Ways to use leftover turkey
23 delicious uses for Thanksgiving leftovers
18 frugal Thanksgiving leftover recipes

Day after Thanksgiving favorites: 

How to skip Black Friday madness and still get the deals
The smart shopper’s guide to Black Friday
Best shopping apps for Black Friday 2020
8 ways to survive (and even enjoy) shopping Black Friday
Best Instant Pot deal and more Black Friday deals